After announcing a social media blackout last week, Tyson Fury turned to face the cameras to speak in his first press conference for his fight with Dillian Whyte.
What Fury Had to Say
‘The Gypsy King’ and boxing promoter Frank Warren sat alongside each other, looking unfazed by the absence of Whyte. Fury even quoting “I’m not concerned because this is the Tyson Fury roadshow and the next stop is London”. Fury then got up from his seat, pointing at Whyte’s large image behind him and suggesting to Frank Warren that they should take it down.
Tyson then claimed there had ‘Only ever been one man on these shores, and his name is Tyson Fury’. Further showing his disinterest in Whyte going AWOL. Frank Warren then got involved by saying it was ‘Disgraceful and unprofessional’ that Whyte did not show up.
Tyson then got into the financial side of things by saying, “I’m giving him 32 times his biggest payday. He should be here kissing my feet!. … He’s very lucky to be receiving this amount of money! … The only thing he has ever won is a British title”. Fury finished off by humorously squaring off with a poster of Dillian Whyte.
Why Whyte Was Absent
Bob Arum, Fury’s US promoter, explained that Whyte did not show up to the press conference as they “wouldn’t give him a percentage of the upside” from the pay-per-view sales. This explains Fury’s comments on Whyte’s fight purse. Whyte is currently located in Portugal and is thought to be training there in preparation for the fight. Many expected Whyte to attend the press conference via video call, which has been done many times in the combat sports world since the global pandemic.
When Will Fury and Whyte Fight in the Ring?
The highly anticipated heavyweight matchup takes place at Wembley Stadium on April 23rd. Tickets for the fight go on sale on March 2nd.
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Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
